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as in spartan
providing only the essentials and nothing fancy or luxurious monks who have committed themselves to living in stark cells and working and praying in silence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stark Medrano, 65, represents the stark juxtaposition between tradition and innovation here in this remote part of South Texas. Ashley Killough, CNN Money, 2 May 2025 The debate marks a stark divide in city politics over the future of health care for 250,000 retirees. Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025 What a stark contrast that is from where Minnesota was on opening night. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 1 May 2025 That’s a stark turnaround in declines from early last month, when the broad market index briefly entered bear market territory, or a decline of more than 20% from its recent peak. Sean Conlon,brian Evans, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stark
Adjective
  • India claims to have targeted militant infrastructure, but the reality is grim: at least 26 Pakistani civilians -including women and a young child were reported killed in the strikes.
    Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
  • Sitting in on India press conferences can often be a bit grim, carefully orchestrated by the team's hierarchy and little is usually given to their hungry press corps.
    Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • Secrets of the Thrift Kidney's strategy centers on knowledge, patience, and sheer time investment.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
  • Cyrus released the single alongside a black-and-white video that sways from footage of the singer dripping in crystals to wearing a long, classic dress and toward the end, wearing a somber black coat with sheer fabric covering her face.
    Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.
    Michael Abbott, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Delle, devoid for so long from its intrinsic need for social interaction might be filling in the gaps by talking to himself.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 14 Feb. 2023
Adjective
  • A lot of people have this idea of the north as being cold and desolate, and maybe people, once upon a time, lived up there, but don't anymore.
    Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The Memphis rapper began the show with dramatics, rising on a giant platform with her back to the audience as a screen behind her projected the image of a desolate street.
    John Lonsdale, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The rest of the film takes place in a prison, where Henry’s gruff but philosophical cellmate, Gene (Shia LaBeouf), tries to teach him the ways of the world.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Fimmel digs into the more stereotypical gruff bounty hunter with relish, though the character itself is a western staple.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • The religious symbol was decorated with white florals and greenery, and served as the backdrop to Pell and James' simple and serene ceremony.
    Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 12 May 2025
  • Simple Systems: Create ease and flow with simple back-end structures and client journeys.
    Christine Williams, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • In recent years, K Street has stood out more for its empty storefronts and large number of homeless people than as a vibrant center for activity.
    Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2025
  • Consumers have faced empty supermarket shelves and a nearly 90% surge in prices.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • In the early 1900s, Jennie Butchart transformed the scarred land of a barren limestone quarry into a lush retreat, proving nature’s resilience.
    Cheryl Russell, Oc Register, 11 May 2025
  • The inky ocean depths are often assumed to be barren, but this is a myth, said Adrian Glover, a deep-sea ocean scientist at the UK’s Natural History Museum.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 8 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stark. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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